American Civil Liberties Union
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES.
- Income
- $6.4 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $378,521, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (6)
- $2.8 million spent. POLICY - ENGAGES IN POLICY ANALYSIS, LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS, LOBBYING, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY AROUND CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUES AND PRIORITIES CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN. IN FY19, IT WAS DESCRIBED AS LEGISLATIVE.
- $458,217 spent. FIELD - SEEKS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, COALITION BUILDING, ONLINE ACTIVISM AND DIRECT LOBBYING IN FY19, IT WAS DESCRIBED AS ADVOCACY.
- $406,454 spent. EDUCATION POLICY CENTER - LEGAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS, ADVOCACY AND OCCASIONAL LOBBYING AROUND CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES ISSUES RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ITS PROGRAM INCLUDES A YOUTH ADVOCACY AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
- Program Service Expenses 50,129, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - COMMUNICATION - EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON NYCLUS PRIORITY ISSUES AND ENGAGES IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AND ECOURAGE GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES.
- Program Service Expenses 127,663, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - LEGAL - UNDERTAKES LEGAL ANALYSIS, LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND OCCASIONAL LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES.
- Program Service Expenses 167,227, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 - RACIAL JUSTICE CENTER - CULMINATION OF A DECADES-LONG COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND ACHIEVING RACIAL JUSTICE IN NEW YORK WORKS TO UPLIFT BLACK, BROWN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR TO REALIZE THE FULL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AS GUARANTEED BY THE NEW YORK STATE CONSTITUTION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.